The Calgary Flames defenceman witnessed Crosby's magic first-hand and gets to see it over and over when witnessing the famous goal the Pittsburgh Penguins star tallied against him online.

You've seen it, just likely didn't realize Sarich was involved.

It's the highligh-reel goal when Crosby, on a two-on-one with Mark Recchi, had to dive and lunge for the puck as it was passed across the ice and then redirected it into the top of the cage before sliding into the net himself. It's not a happy memory for Sarich.

"I'd like to have that one back," he said. "I probably should have just went over to him and taken him away, but I thought I'd be able to get the puck. An inch or two, I look like the hero, instead you're the goat for the day. But I have to see it all the time."

Seeing as Sarich has played eight NHL games against Sid the Kid, it's really not a big surprise you can find a highlight goal against him. (It is worth noting the Tampa Bay Lightning won all eight meetings with Crosby and the Penguins with Sarich in the lineup, and Sarich has collected a pair of assists in those games.)

Since the Flames will play host to Crosby for the first time in his NHL career tonight, Sarich is by far the elder statesman when it comes to having experience against the young phenom.

He's the logical one to ask for a scouting report.

"He's so strong on his skates and he's hard to move off the puck," Sarich said. "He's got great vision on the ice and he's got a great shot. With all those components, it's the total package."

A fan? Kinda, but Sarich won't admit it, whether it's Crosby or any other opposing NHLer.

"Not while I'm playing against him," he said. "You pay attention, see what he's done and he's gonna be in the game a long time so we'll see where he's gonna go, but when you're in the business as we are, you've got to treat him like anybody else."

By the way, in those eight games against the Lightning, Crosby collected a total of three goals and six assists, but Sarich believes the game plan against him is obvious.

"You have to make sure his time with the puck is limited," Sarich said. "You give him some space and he's gonna make great plays. Then again, he's got great guys with him that make great plays.

"It comes down to hard work, you have to outwork him and that's a task."

We'll see if the Flames are up to the challenge, but certainly Crosby's arrival will deflect attention.

"That's good, let them put the pressure on them and we'll come out and just do our thing," Sarich said. "If we work as hard as we did (Tuesday), hopefully there will be the good results. That's what we have to do, play our game. You don't want to get too caught up in the Crosby thing."

Not that he begrudges the attention Crosby receives.

"It's great, a little crazy. You see a car bombing somewhere and it's not on the news these days because it's Sidney Crosby, but it can only be good for the game," he said. "In the States, coming to Tampa, there's not much hype. It's great to see it."